Understanding the Types of Water Damage (and How to Handle Them)
Let’s be real—no one ever expects water damage, but when it hits, it can turn your day upside down fast. Whether it’s a leaking pipe, an overflowing toilet, or heavy rain sneaking into your home, knowing what kind of water you’re dealing with makes a big difference in how you clean it up and protect your property.
Here in Fort Myers, water damage is more common than we’d like, especially with our humidity, rainstorms, and flooding risks. So we’re here to break it down for you in simple terms. Because at Redline Restoration, we’re not just a restoration company—we’re your neighbors and we’ve got your back.
Category 1: Clean Water
This is the best case scenario when it comes to water damage. Clean water comes from sources like broken pipes, rainwater, or an overflowing sink. It doesn’t have harmful contaminants yet, so it's not a big health risk as long as you handle it quickly.
You might see this kind of water from things like:
- A leaking water supply line
- Rainwater getting in through a window
- An overflowing bathtub or kitchen sink
If you can get to it fast, clean water damage is usually pretty easy to deal with. Just be aware that if it sits for too long, it can turn into something more serious. That clean water can pick up bacteria or mold and move into Category 2 territory.
What to do
Shut off the water source if you can. Use fans, towels, and dehumidifiers to start drying things out. The quicker you act, the better. And if it’s more than a minor spill, give us a call and we’ll make sure everything is dry and disinfected properly.
How we help
Our team can be at your place fast with professional drying equipment to stop the damage from spreading. We’ll make sure everything is clean and dry before mold has a chance to grow.
Category 2: Gray Water
Gray water is water that’s not totally clean. It might not be dangerous right away, but it can cause health issues if you come into contact with it or let it sit around too long. Think of water from a washing machine overflow or a toilet that doesn’t have any solid waste in it.
You might run into gray water if you’ve had:
- A dishwasher or washer overflow
- A toilet overflow without poop
- A broken fish tank
- A sump pump failure
This kind of water might have soap, dirt, chemicals, or even bacteria in it. It’s not something you want to mess with, especially if you have kids or pets.
What to do
Avoid touching the water. Get kids and pets away from the area. If you can, stop the leak then call in professionals to safely remove it and clean up properly.
How we help
We come in with the right gear and cleaners to safely remove gray water and disinfect every surface. We also make sure it’s fully dry so there’s no chance of mold starting to grow.
Category 3: Black Water
This is the worst type of water damage and something you should never try to clean up yourself. Black water is highly contaminated and can be dangerous to your health. It often includes sewage, floodwater, or water that’s been sitting too long and growing bacteria.
You’ll find black water in situations like:
- Sewage backups
- Flooding from a storm or hurricane
- Toilet overflows with fecal matter
- Water that’s been standing for a few days
Black water can carry bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and more. It’s unsafe to touch or even breathe in the air around it.
What to do
Get out of the area and don’t try to clean it yourself. Seriously. This kind of situation needs pros who know how to handle it safely. Call us immediately and we’ll take care of everything.
How we help
We show up with full protective gear and specialized equipment to safely remove black water, clean up the mess, and disinfect every inch of the space. We’ll also take care of any mold removal to keep your home safe for you and your family.
Why Speed Matters
No matter what kind of water you’re dealing with, timing is everything. In Fort Myers, the heat and humidity can cause mold to start growing in less than two days. That means a small water leak today can turn into a serious mold problem by the weekend.
If you’ve had water damage, especially if it wasn’t fully dried or cleaned up, mold might already be hiding behind your walls or under your flooring. We offer mold mitigation services to get rid of it for good and prevent it from coming back.
Let Redline Restoration Take It From Here
Water damage is never fun, but you don’t have to deal with it alone. Whether it’s a little leak or a major mess, Redline Restoration is here to help Fort Myers homeowners clean up, dry out, and get back to normal fast.
Give us a call if you’re dealing with water damage or just want a professional inspection. We’re your local team ready to step in with fast service and friendly help when you need it most.
Need water damage help
Call Redline Restoration now for a quick no pressure assessment. Let’s get your home cleaned up and back to normal together.
